- A 10-Night 11-Day Amdo Tibetan & Hexi Corridor Humanities and Arts Journey
- Buddha’s Light & Sacred Cham — A 12-Day Losar Festival Journey Through Amdo Tibet
- The Silk Road Heart — 9-Day Hexi Corridor Humanities and Arts Journey
- Heart of the Silk Road — 21-Day Grand Journey Through Northern and Southern Xinjiang
- Buddhism Spreads East — 18-Night 19-Day Central Plains Buddhist Art and Eastern Silk Road Journey
- Camel Bells, Prayer Wheels and the Call to Prayer — 14-Day Alxa-Gannan-Rebgong Journey
- Rainforest Secrets & Dai Culture — 8-Day Xishuangbanna and Pu’er In-depth Vacation
- Echoes of the Tea Horse Road — 7-Day Dali, Shaxi and Weishan In-depth Cultural Journey
- The Tea Horse Road — 15-Day Cultural Journey from Amdo Pastures to Jiarong Tibetan Villages
- Song of the Snowy Pasture – 8-Day Tibetan Nomadic Journey
佛光东渐 — 中原佛教艺术与丝绸之路东段18晚19天人文之旅
Buddhism Spreads East — 18-Night 19-Day Central Plains Buddhist Art and Eastern Silk Road Journey
Design Philosophy
How This Journey Was Crafted
Buddhism spread east, blessing all lands. Setting out from the ancient capital of Chang'an, the seeds of the Dharma took root across the Central Plains and along the Silk Road. Along this road stand the Yungang Grottoes, hewn in the Northern Wei era out of devotion to the Dharma; Mount Wutai, the sacred seat of Manjushri, whose incense has burned unbroken for a thousand years; the Jinci Temple and Twin Pagoda Temple of Taiyuan, bearing witness to the memory of faith; and the Great Ci'en Temple in Xi'an, where the great translator Xuanzang once rendered sacred texts. Further west, the Maijishan Grottes of Tianshui, the White Pagoda Temple of Lanzhou, and the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang—each grotto and monastery is a moving footnote to the eastward spread of the Dharma. By the time we reach Turpan and Kashgar, Indian, Greek, Persian, and Chinese civilizations converge and fuse; at the end of the route, the Dharma had long since become one with the lives and souls of the people along the way.
Over nineteen days we travel from the heart of the Central Plains ever westward, threading through grottoes, ancient monasteries, and faith itself, tracing that beam of Buddhist radiance that once lit the hearts of the East, and touching, amid the sands of a thousand years, the warmth of a great road.
Your Journey
Journey Highlights
01
At the Yungang Grottoes, gaze up at the myriad stone carvings the Northern Wei dynasty hewed into the cliffs of Mount Wuzhou, and read the dawn of Chinese Buddhist art's first great flowering.
02
Ascend Mount Wutai; amid the chanting and incense of the sacred seat of Manjushri, feel the unbroken faith of this Han- and Tibetan-Buddhist holy mountain.
03
In Taiyuan, step through the Jinci Temple and the Twin Pagoda Temple, touching the Buddhist and cultural heritage of the Central Plains in Northern Song architecture and Ming pagodas.
04
In Xi'an, stand before the Great Ci'en Temple and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to retrace the footsteps of Xuanzang's translation work along the eastern route of the sutra.
05
At the Maijishan Grottes of Tianshui, look up to the sky-walking plank roads and the smiling "Oriental Mona Lisa," admiring the peak of clay-sculpture artistry.
06
At the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, contemplate the murals and painted sculptures, feeling the fusion of Indian, Greek, Persian, and Chinese art at this crossroads of the Silk Road.
07
In Turpan, walk the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and the ruins of Gaochang, tracing the rise and fall of the Buddhist kingdoms of the Western Regions.
08
In Kashgar, wander the Id Kah Mosque and the alleys of the old city, savoring the southern Xinjiang atmosphere where many civilizations meet.
Gallery
Moments Along the Way
Day by Day
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Beijing – Datong 北京 – 大同
Take a high-speed train from Beijing to Datong. Explore the ancient city wall and visit Huayan Temple, a treasure of Liao-Jin dynasty Buddhist architecture, admiring the prayer-folded, smiling bodhisattva in the Bhagavat Sutra Library. In the evening savor Datong's famous knife-cut noodles.
Chinese
乘高铁由北京出发前往大同。抵达后游览大同古城墙，漫步华严寺，感受辽金时期的佛教建筑瑰宝，欣赏薄伽教藏殿内的合掌露齿菩萨。傍晚品尝大同特色刀削面。
Day 2
Datong 大同
In the morning visit the Yungang Grottoes south of the city—the royal grottoes hewn by the full might of the Northern Wei dynasty. Today 45 main caves, 252 niches, and over 51,000 stone statues remain, a brilliant exemplar of the first high point of Chinese Buddhist art. In the afternoon visit Shanhua Temple to appreciate the superb Liao-Jin hall architecture and painted sculptures.
Chinese
上午探访南郊云冈石窟，这里是北魏王朝集合全国之力开凿的皇家石窟，现存主要洞窟45个，大小窟龛252个，石雕造像51000余尊，是中国佛教艺术第一个高峰期的杰出代表。下午游览善化寺，感受辽金寺院建筑与彩塑的精湛技艺。
Day 3
Datong – Wutaishan 大同 – 五台山
After breakfast visit the Hanging Temple, a timber structure clinging to a sheer cliff that has endured over 1,500 years, hailed as a wonder of the world. Then proceed to the sacred Mount Wutai, seat of Manjushri and a holy place where both Han and Tibetan Chinese Buddhism coexist.
Chinese
早餐后前往悬空寺，这座建在峭壁之上的木构建筑历经1500余年依然屹立，被誉为世界一绝。随后奔赴佛教圣地五台山，这里是文殊菩萨的道场，也是中国汉传佛教与藏传佛教并存的圣地。
Day 4
Wutaishan 五台山
Spend the day at Mount Wutai. Pay homage at Ye Dou Peak, the highest summit, and descend through the central temple cluster of Taihuai town, visiting Xiantong Temple, Pusading, and Tayuan Temple, and gazing upon the Great White Pagoda, symbol of the mountain. Feel the thousand-year faith of this seat of Manjushri amid chanting and incense.
Chinese
全天游览五台山。朝拜五台山最高峰北台叶斗峰，登临台怀镇核心寺院群，参观显通寺、菩萨顶、塔院寺，瞻仰五台山标志性建筑大白塔。在梵呗与香火中，感受这座文殊道场千年不散的信仰气息。
Day 5
Wutaishan – Taiyuan 五台山 – 太原
After breakfast drive back to Taiyuan. In the afternoon visit the Jinci Temple, admiring the Sage Mother Hall and the Flying Bridge of Fish Pool Spring, classic Northern Song architecture and sculpture. Then explore the Twin Pagoda Temple and gaze up at its Ming-dynasty twin pagodas, feeling the blend of ancient Buddhist towers and Jinyang's culture.
Chinese
早餐后乘车返回太原。下午游览晋祠，欣赏圣母殿、鱼沼飞梁等北宋经典建筑与雕塑。随后探访双塔寺，仰望明代双塔，感受这座古城佛塔与晋阳人文的交融。
Day 6
Taiyuan – Pingyao – Taiyuan 太原 – 平遥 – 太原
A flexible day. You may visit the Shanxi merchant's homeland around Taiyuan, or for those who wish, return to savor Jinci in depth or travel to Pingyao Ancient City to walk its Ming-Qing streets and the Rishengchang draft bank, feeling the financial genius of Shanxi merchants (morning depart, evening return, transport included).
Chinese
自由活动日，可探访太原周边的晋商故里。特别推荐前一日未尽的晋祠细品或前往平遥古城，漫步明清街市，走进日升昌票号，感受晋商票号的金融智慧（本日行程上午出发下午返回，含往返交通）。
Day 7
Taiyuan – Xi'an 太原 – 西安
Take a high-speed train to Xi'an. Visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Ci'en Temple, where Xuanzang translated and enshrined the sutras. In the evening stroll the Great Tang All-Day Mall and feel the splendor of Chang'an.
Chinese
乘高铁前往西安。抵达后游览大雁塔与大慈恩寺，这里是玄奘译经与供奉佛经之地。傍晚漫步大唐不夜城，感受长安的繁华盛景。
Day 8
Xi'an 西安
In the morning visit the Forest of Steles Museum, the earliest and largest collection of ancient Chinese stone inscriptions. Then visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xi'an Museum to feel the spirit and bearing of Tang Chang'an. Afternoon is free—enjoy authentic food on Muslim Street or visit Famen Temple.
Chinese
上午参观西安碑林博物馆，这里是收藏中国古代碑石时间最早、数目最大的艺术宝库。随后游览小雁塔与西安博物院，感受唐长安城的精神与气度。下午自由活动，可在回民街品尝地道美食，或探访法门寺。
Day 9
Xi'an – Tianshui 西安 – 天水
After breakfast travel to Tianshui, crossing the Qinling Mountains by high-speed rail. Visit the Fuxi Temple, a shrine to the legendary ancestor Fu Xi and cradle of Chinese civilization, feeling the heritage of the "hometown of the first emperor."
Chinese
早餐后前往天水，乘动车穿越秦岭。抵达后参观天水伏羲庙，这里是中华人文始祖伏羲的祭祀之地，感受"羲皇故里"的历史底蕴。
Day 10
Tianshui 天水
Spend the day at the Maijishan Grottes. Hanging on sheer cliffs, it holds 221 caves and over 7,800 clay and stone sculptures, famed especially for its pre-Sui-Tang clay figures and hailed as the "Oriental Sculpture Gallery." Admire the smiling "Oriental Mona Lisa" and gaze over the mountains from the sky-walking plank roads.
Chinese
全天探访麦积山石窟。这座建于峭壁之上的石窟寺，现存洞窟221个、泥塑及石雕造像7800余尊，尤以隋唐以前的泥塑著称，被誉为"东方雕塑陈列馆"。欣赏那尊微笑的"东方蒙娜丽莎"，在凌空栈道上俯瞰群山。
Day 11
Tianshui – Lanzhou 天水 – 兰州
Take a bullet train to Lanzhou. Visit the White Pagoda Temple and the Yellow River scenic belt, stroll the Zhongshan Iron Bridge, and watch the Yellow River surge by. In the evening visit the South Pass ethnic quarter and enjoy authentic Lanzhou beef noodles.
Chinese
乘动车前往兰州。抵达后游览白塔寺与黄河风情线，漫步中山铁桥，眺望黄河奔流。傍晚前往南关民族风情街品尝正宗兰州牛肉面。
Day 12
Lanzhou – Xiahe 兰州 – 夏河
After breakfast drive to Xiahe. Visit Labrang Monastery, one of the six great Gelug monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, known as the "world's highest institution of Tibetan studies." Follow a monk through the six colleges, including the Institute of Dialectics and the Medical College, absorbing its rich spiritual atmosphere.
Chinese
早餐后乘车前往夏河。抵达后参观拉卜楞寺，这里是藏传佛教格鲁派六大宗主寺之一，有"世界藏学府"之称。跟随僧人走过闻思学院、医学院等六大学院，感受浓厚的佛教氛围。
Day 13
Xiahe 夏河
Continue exploring Labrang in the morning; climb the hill to overlook the magnificent red-walled, golden-roofed monastery complex, or join the monks on a kora circumambulation. In the afternoon visit the Sangke Grasslands for the vastness and peace of the high plateau, then the Gungthang Stupa to admire its splendid stupa art.
Chinese
上午继续探访拉卜楞寺，可登山顶俯瞰红墙金顶的壮丽寺院群，或跟随僧人转经。下午参观桑科草原，感受高原牧场的辽阔与宁静，随后前往贡唐宝塔，瞻仰辉煌的佛塔艺术。
Day 14
Xiahe – Lanzhou – Dunhuang 夏河 – 兰州 – 敦煌
After breakfast drive back to Lanzhou and board an overnight train bound for Dunhuang. As the train threads the Hexi Corridor, the endless Gobi and desert scroll past the window, as if traveling along the Silk Road of a thousand years.
Chinese
早餐后乘车返回兰州，转乘火车夜宿赴敦煌。列车穿行河西走廊，窗外戈壁与大漠一路相伴，仿佛行进在千年的丝路之上。
Day 15
Dunhuang 敦煌
Arrive in Dunhuang early by train. After the digital grotto film, explore the Mogao Caves with a professional guide, admiring the pinnacle works of Buddhist art as it flowed eastward. In the afternoon visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, riding camels across the dunes to feel the grandeur of the vast desert.
Chinese
列车早抵敦煌。上午先观看莫高窟数字洞窟影片，随后随专业讲解员探访莫高窟，欣赏壁画与彩塑中佛教艺术东传的巅峰杰作。下午前往鸣沙山月牙泉，骑骆驼穿越沙丘，感受大漠孤烟的壮阔。
Day 16
Dunhuang – Turpan 敦煌 – 吐鲁番
After breakfast take the bullet train or a flight to Turpan. Visit the karez (underground irrigation system), a marvel of the region's ingenuity. Then explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, seeking the past glory of the Buddhist kingdoms of the Western Regions amid the surviving murals and shrines.
Chinese
早餐后乘动车或飞机前往吐鲁番。抵达后参观坎儿井，了解吐鲁番人民的智慧。随后探访柏孜克里克千佛洞，在残存的壁画与佛龛中，寻觅西域佛国的昔日辉煌。
Day 17
Turpan 吐鲁番
In the morning visit Jiaohe Ancient City, the world's largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen urban site, bearing witness to two millennia of Silk Road history. Then visit the Flaming Mountains and the Grape Valley, savoring sweet grapes. In the afternoon take a bullet train to Urumqi.
Chinese
上午参观交河故城，这座世界上最大最古老、保存最完好的生土建筑城市，见证了两千年的丝路兴衰。随后游览火焰山与葡萄沟，品尝甘甜的葡萄。下午乘动车前往乌鲁木齐。
Day 18
Urumqi – Kashgar 乌鲁木齐 – 喀什
After breakfast take a flight to Kashgar. Visit the Id Kah Mosque, the largest Islamic mosque in Xinjiang. Then wander the old city of Kashgar, threading through the alleys of the Tashkorgan quarter, experiencing Uyghur life and culture; in the evening enjoy a cup of brick tea in a century-old teahouse.
Chinese
早餐后乘飞机飞往喀什。抵达后游览艾提尕尔清真寺，感受新疆规模最大的伊斯兰教寺院。随后漫步喀什老城，穿行于高台民居的街巷，体验维吾尔族的生活与风情，傍晚在百年老茶馆喝一盏砖茶。
Day 19
Kashgar – Beijing 喀什 – 北京
After breakfast transfer to the airport according to your flight time and fly back to Beijing. Journey ends.
Chinese
早餐后根据航班时间前往机场，乘飞机返回北京，行程结束。
Good to Know
What's Included
What's Included
- ✓ 行程中所列的高铁、航班，和喀什-北京机票 / Listed high-speed trains, flights, and the Kashgar–Beijing flight
- ✓ 全程优秀汉语/英语导游讲解费用 / Professional Chinese- and English-speaking guide throughout
- ✓ 每天两顿正餐费用，当地特色餐厅 / Two main meals daily at local specialty restaurants
- ✓ 行程所列城市酒店住宿 / Hotel accommodation in all listed cities
- ✓ 全程用车：营运大巴车 / All transportation by chartered coach
- ✓ 全所含观光景点门票 / Admission to all listed sightseeing spots
- ✓ 随车每日瓶装水、水果 / Daily bottled water and fruit on the coach
- ✓ 国内旅游保险 / Domestic travel insurance
Not Included
- ✕ 自费参加的其他活动项目 / Optional activities at your own expense
- ✕ 行程中的个人消费 / Personal expenses during the trip
Before You Book
Important Information
- 团体人数：最少10人，最多15人 / Group size: minimum 10, maximum 15
- 签证：外籍及港澳台旅客请自备有效旅行证件 / Visas: Foreign, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan travelers must carry valid travel documents
- 行动不便旅客提示：本行程含登台阶徒步、石窟及山地活动，需良好体能与行动能力 / Mobility note: this itinerary involves stair climbing, trekking at grotto and mountain sites; good physical fitness and mobility required
- 航班信息：团队机票基于团体票价，额满后需单独询价，可能产生附加费用 / Flights: Group tickets are based on group fares; once quotas are filled, individual pricing may incur surcharges